The best restaurant ePOS systems in the UK for 2026 are POSApt, Square, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Zettle by PayPal, Clover, and TouchBistro. Each system offers different tools for restaurants, cafés, pubs, and takeaway businesses. Some focus on simple setup while others provide deeper reporting, inventory management, and integrations.
Choosing the right ePOS system can make a big difference to daily operations. From processing payments and managing orders to tracking staff performance and analysing sales, a reliable restaurant ePOS system helps hospitality businesses run smoothly.
This honest guide explains the strengths of each system so restaurant owners in the UK can understand which option may suit their business.
What Is a Restaurant ePOS System?
An ePOS system (Electronic Point of Sale) is the digital system restaurants use to take orders, process payments, manage menus, and track business performance.
Modern restaurant ePOS systems normally include:
• Order management
• Table management
• Payment processing
• Kitchen display or printing
• Sales reporting
• Staff management
Many systems are now cloud-based. This means owners can check reports, update menus, or monitor sales remotely.
For busy restaurants and pubs, an efficient ePOS system reduces mistakes, speeds up service, and improves overall workflow.
Price Overview of the Best Restaurant ePOS Systems in the UK (2026)
The following table shows estimated pricing based on publicly available information from company websites as of March 2026.
| POS Company | Monthly Software Fee | Payment Processing | Notes |
| POSApt | From about £29 | Around 0.9% | Online order integration with the website |
| Square | Free basic plan | Around 1.75% | Must use Square Payments |
| Lightspeed | From about £69 | Around 1.6%–2.6% | Advanced hospitality features |
| Epos Now | From about £39 | Varies | Hardware bundles available |
| Zettle by PayPal | No monthly fee | Around 1.75% | Simple setup |
| Clover | From about £39 | Around 1.5%–2.6% | Often sold through banks |
| TouchBistro | From about £69 | Depends on provider | Designed for restaurants |
Note
Prices may change depending on hardware, integrations, and contract terms. Always confirm pricing with each provider before making a final decision.
7 Best Restaurant ePOS Systems in the UK
1. POSApt
POSApt is becoming increasingly recognised as a flexible restaurant ePOS system that works well for hospitality businesses wanting an integrated solution.
The system runs on Android devices and supports a wide range of restaurant operations including dine-in, takeaway, and delivery.
One advantage of POSApt is its payment flexibility. Instead of forcing businesses to use a single provider, POSApt integrates with payment gateways such as Windcave, allowing restaurants to choose the merchant service that suits them.
POSApt also offers integrated online ordering connected to a branded WordPress website. This allows restaurants to accept pickup and delivery orders directly without relying heavily on third-party delivery platforms.
Other features include staff management, kitchen display integration, real-time reporting, and local support.
This system can suit restaurants that want more control over payments and online ordering.
2. Square
Square is one of the most widely used POS systems among small restaurants and cafés.
The biggest reason for its popularity is its simple pricing structure. Businesses can start with the free plan and only pay transaction fees when customers make payments.
Square includes built-in tools for reporting, staff management, and online ordering. The system is also known for being easy to set up, which makes it appealing for smaller venues or new restaurant owners.
However, Square requires businesses to use Square Payments. This means restaurants cannot connect external payment providers.
For restaurants that want a quick and simple setup, Square remains a popular choice.
3. Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a well-known hospitality ePOS platform designed for restaurants that require more advanced management tools.
The system includes strong inventory management, detailed reporting, and multi-location support. This makes it suitable for larger restaurants, restaurant groups, and venues with more complex operations.
Lightspeed also integrates with a wide range of third-party tools including reservation systems, delivery platforms, and accounting software.
While Lightspeed offers powerful features, the monthly cost can be higher compared with simpler POS systems.
Restaurants that want deep operational insights and scalability often consider Lightspeed.
4. Epos Now
Epos Now is a UK-based POS provider that has been widely used across retail and hospitality businesses.
The platform offers restaurant features such as table management, kitchen printing, stock tracking, and reporting tools.
One advantage of Epos Now is its availability through hardware bundles. Some businesses choose packages that include terminals, printers, and cash drawers.
Epos Now also supports integrations with various payment providers and third-party applications.
This system may suit restaurants looking for an established UK POS provider with flexible hardware options.
5. Zettle by PayPal
Zettle by PayPal is designed for small hospitality businesses that want a straightforward payment and POS setup.
The system offers a simple POS interface with basic sales tracking, product management, and payment processing.
Because Zettle is connected to PayPal, payments are handled within the PayPal ecosystem.
Zettle is commonly used by small cafés, food stalls, market vendors, and takeaway shops that do not require advanced restaurant management features.
For businesses wanting a simple payment-focused POS, Zettle can be an accessible option.
6. Clover
Clover is another POS system widely used in the hospitality industry, often distributed through banks and merchant service providers.
The system includes a range of hardware devices such as countertop terminals, handheld devices, and mobile card readers.
Clover supports restaurant features including order management, reporting tools, and app marketplace integrations.
Because Clover systems are often sold through payment providers, pricing and contracts may vary depending on the provider.
Restaurants that prefer bundled hardware and payment services sometimes consider Clover.
7. TouchBistro
TouchBistro is a restaurant-focused POS system designed specifically for hospitality operations.
The platform offers table management, menu management, staff tracking, and reporting tools tailored for restaurants.
TouchBistro also integrates with various third-party services including delivery platforms and accounting software.
Historically the system has been widely used on iPad devices, making it attractive for venues that prefer Apple hardware.
Restaurants wanting a POS designed specifically for hospitality may find TouchBistro suitable.
Monthly POS Cost Comparison Based on Restaurant Sales
When comparing restaurant ePOS systems, the monthly software subscription is only part of the total cost. In most cases, the largest ongoing expense is the payment processing fee, which is charged as a percentage of every transaction.
To help restaurant owners understand the real cost difference between POS providers, the following comparison uses two common restaurant scenarios.
Assumptions Used for This Comparison
The examples below use simplified assumptions to make the comparison easy to understand.
Small restaurant scenario
• Monthly card sales: £45,000
• Typical independent café or small restaurant
Larger restaurant scenario
• Monthly card sales: £150,000
• Busy restaurant or multi-location venue
Estimated POS pricing assumptions
• POSApt transaction fee: 0.99%
• Square and Zettle transaction fee: 1.75%
• Lightspeed and TouchBistro: about 1.6%
• Epos Now: about 1.5%
• Clover: about 2.3%
• Software fees are based on typical entry-level restaurant plans
These examples assume that most payments are made by card to simplify the comparison.
Estimated Monthly POS Cost (Small Restaurant)
Example restaurant revenue: £45,000 per month
| POS System | Software Fee | Transaction Fee | Processing Cost | Estimated Total Monthly Cost |
| POSApt | £29 | 0.99% | £445.50 | £474.50 |
| Square | £0 | 1.75% | £787.50 | £787.50 |
| Lightspeed | £69 | 1.6% | £720 | £789 |
| Epos Now | £25 | 1.5% | £675 | £700 |
| Zettle | £0 | 1.75% | £787.50 | £787.50 |
| Clover | £20 | 2.3% | £1,035 | £1,055 |
| TouchBistro | £69 | 1.6% | £720 | £789 |
Even in a smaller restaurant, the difference between POS providers can be significant. A system with a lower transaction fee may save hundreds of pounds each month.
Estimated Monthly POS Cost (Larger Restaurant)
Example restaurant revenue: £150,000 per month
| POS System | Software Fee | Transaction Fee | Processing Cost | Estimated Total Monthly Cost |
| POSApt | £29 | 0.99% | £1,485 | £1,514 |
| Square | £0 | 1.75% | £2,625 | £2,625 |
| Lightspeed | £69 | 1.6% | £2,400 | £2,469 |
| Epos Now | £25 | 1.5% | £2,250 | £2,275 |
| Zettle | £0 | 1.75% | £2,625 | £2,625 |
| Clover | £20 | 2.3% | £3,450 | £3,470 |
| TouchBistro | £69 | 1.6% | £2,400 | £2,469 |
For high-volume restaurants, the difference becomes much more noticeable. Even a small change in transaction percentage can result in large cost differences every month.
Which Restaurant ePOS System Is the Cheapest?
Based on the comparison tables above, POSApt for restaurant appears to be the cheapest option in both scenarios. The main reason is the lower transaction fee assumption of 0.99%. Because payment processing fees scale with sales, even a small difference in percentage can significantly reduce monthly costs.
For smaller restaurants with around £45,000 in monthly sales, systems with higher transaction fees can cost several hundred pounds more each month compared with lower-fee providers.
For larger restaurants with monthly sales around £150,000, the difference becomes even more noticeable. A POS system charging around 1.75% may cost over £1,000 more per month compared with a provider charging under 1%.
This shows that restaurant owners should look beyond the monthly software subscription and consider the total cost of payments when comparing POS systems.
Important Note
This comparison is based on simplified estimates using publicly available pricing information from POS provider websites as of March 2026. Actual costs may vary depending on merchant agreements, payment methods used by customers, and additional POS features or integrations.
Restaurant owners should always confirm the latest pricing with each POS provider before making a final decision.
Which Restaurant ePOS System Suits Different Restaurant Owners?
Different restaurants have different operational needs. The best system often depends on the size of the venue, staff experience, and how complex the operation is.
Small Independent Restaurants
Small restaurants or cafés often prefer systems that are easy to set up and affordable.
Options that commonly suit these venues include:
• POSApt
• Square
• Zettle
These systems can start quickly and do not require large upfront investments.
Growing Restaurants or Multi-Location Businesses
Restaurants expanding to multiple locations usually need stronger reporting, inventory tracking, and integration options.
Systems often considered by growing restaurants include:
• Lightspeed
• TouchBistro
• Epos Now
These platforms provide more advanced management features.
Restaurant Owners Who Want Payment Flexibility
Some restaurant owners prefer choosing their own merchant service rather than being locked into one payment provider.
POSApt and Epos Now allow restaurants to connect different payment gateways depending on their preference.
This flexibility can help businesses negotiate better merchant fees.
Restaurant Owners Who Prefer Simple Setup
Some venues want a system that can be installed quickly without complex configuration.
POSApt, Square and Zettle are widely known for their simple setup and minimal training requirements.
How to Choose the Right Restaurant ePOS System
Before selecting a POS system, restaurant owners should consider several important factors.
Key things to evaluate include:
• Monthly software cost
• Payment processing fees
• Hardware compatibility
• Ease of use for staff
• Online ordering integration
• Reporting and analytics
• Customer support availability
A system that works well for one restaurant may not always suit another. The best choice depends on the venue’s workflow, order volume, and growth plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a restaurant ePOS system cost in the UK?
Costs vary depending on the provider. Many systems start from around £30 to £70 per month, while payment processing fees are typically between 1.5% and 2.75%.
Hardware, integrations, and support packages may increase the total cost.
Do restaurants need a cloud-based POS?
Cloud systems allow restaurant owners to access reports remotely, update menus easily, and manage multiple locations.
Because of these benefits, many modern restaurants prefer cloud-based POS systems.
Can a restaurant use any payment provider with an ePOS system?
Not always.
Some POS providers require businesses to use their own payment system, while others allow external payment gateways.
Checking payment flexibility is important before choosing a POS system.
Is an ePOS system necessary for small restaurants?
While small restaurants can operate without advanced POS systems, using an ePOS system usually improves order accuracy, reporting, and operational efficiency.
Many small venues adopt POS systems as their business grows.
Final Thoughts
Restaurant ePOS systems have become an essential tool for modern hospitality businesses in the UK.
POSApt, Square, Lightspeed, Epos Now, Zettle, Clover, and TouchBistro each offer different strengths depending on what a restaurant needs.
Some systems focus on simplicity while others provide advanced operational tools.
Before choosing an ePOS system, restaurant owners should carefully compare pricing, payment fees, support availability, and feature sets to ensure the system fits their long-term business needs.
